Molding.



W. GOODROW.

Patented 0015.28, 1913.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM GOODROW, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOLDING.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Gooouow, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Moldings, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The present invention relates to a new and useful manufacture in theform of a molding which can be used either as a chair rail or the like,or in any other desired manner, but which is nevertheless adapted foruse with another companion molding for the purpose of forming a platerail or the like.

The invention relates to the form or shape of the molding whereby it ispeculiarly adapted for combination or association with another companionmolding for the production of the plate rail. Nevertheless, each stripof molding may be used separately as a chair rail or the like in theusual manner, and without the necessity of any change in its contour orshape and without detriment to its appearance and value.

In the drawing: Figure 1 shows in perspective a length of one form of myim proved molding of a given size; Fig. 2 shows a view similar to thatofFig. 1 with the exception that the molding is of a different size; andFig. 3 shows a cross section taken through two moldings similar to thoseof Figs. 1 and 2 when they have been set together for use as a platerail.

It will be seen from an examination of the several figures that thecompleted plate rail comprises two separate and distinct strips ofmolding, which strips have been set and locked together at right anglesto each other. I am familiar with certain forms of plate rail which aremade from two separate strips, but in all such cases with which I amfamiliar, no form of interlock has been pro vided, and furthermore thestrips have not been of suitable contour for use individually as chairrails, for example. The strips of the present molding, 0n the otherhand, are so formed in standard sizes and shapes that two individualstrips may be set and locked together, as shown in Fig. 3, or each stripmay be used separately as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to adapt several strips for use together as a plate rail, Ihave formed each strip with two of its surfaces as complements of eachother. In a plate rail one of the strips lies flat against the wallwhile the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 28, 1912.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

Serial N 0. 738,700.

other strip projects out at right angles to the same. Therefore, Iprovide these complementary surfaces on portions of each strip ofmolding which lie at right angles to each other. By so doing, twosimilar strips may be placed and set together at right angles to eachother, and an account of the complementary nature of their surfaces, thelatter will fit and lock together. In the particular moldingsillustrated in the drawing, the surfaces l are formed as complements tothe surfaces 5, and the surfaces 4. lie at right angles to the surfaces5. Therefore, the two strips may be set together, as shown in Fi 3 withthe surface 4 of one strip lying against the surface 5 of the otherstrip, and a direct joint will be established between the two stripswhen lying in this position.

Obviously, as far as the above result is concerned, the two separatestrips do not have to be of equal size, the only requirement being thatthe surfaces 4 shall. be of equal size on all strips, that the sameshall be true of all of the surfaces 5, and that the surfaces st shallbe complementary to the surfaces 5. Thus, in the particular moldingstrips illustrated in the drawing, the strip of Fig. 1 is of greaterheight than that of Fig. 2, so that when the two strips are settogether, as shown. in Fig. 3, one arm of the of the invention was to soform the stri as that when set together they would be locltedwithrespect to each other, and the desirability of securing this result willbe apparent when it is realized that the two strips n'iust be joinedtogether in the firmest and most rigid manner possible. l0 accomplishthis result,

I have formed the complementary surfaces 4 and so that they not only fittogether, but also lock whenbrought into engagement.

For this purpose, one of the surfaces, preferably 5, is provided with ahead (i a complementary depression or groove i being formed in the othersurface. By forming the strips in this manner they will be lockedtogether, as shown in Fig. 3, so that any sidewise movement of thehorizontal arm of the completed plate rail with respect to the verticalarm thereof will be firmly and effectually resisted. The desirability ofeecomplishing this result will be better understood and appreciated whenit is remembered that the ordinary plate rail is provided with a groovein its horizontal arm into which may be entered the edges of the plateswhich stand on the rail. In the molding illustrated this is the groove8. Obviously, the plates standing obliquely on the horizontal arm of theplate rail and having their lower portions entered into the groove 8will create a side thrust on the horizontal arm of the plate rail, whichthrust will be effectually resisted by reason of the interlock betweenthe horizontal and vertical strips.

In order to make the several strips per fectly interchangeable, Iprovide each of them with one of the grooves 8 on its rear face, but, ofcourse, only that groove which is formed in the horizontal arm of thecompleted plate rail is exposed and becomes of utility for supportingplates on the completed rail. However, as above stated such a groove isprovided on each strip so as to secure perfect interchangeability of thecompleted product.

It will be seen that there is a peculiar relationship between the groove8 and the surface 5 of each strip. This relationship eX- ists by reasonof the fact that, when any given strip is used in the horizontalposition, the surface 5 thereof is the exposed edge surface of suchstrip and the groove 8 must be placed in a definite relationship withrespect to said edge surface. For example, the groove 8, in order to beof )ractical utility, must be so formed as to efiectually resist themovement of the plates which may be stood on the'rail. To this end, suchgroove has its surface 9 which lies adjacent the end surface 5 formedpractically parallel to said surface, while the surface 10 extends backon a gradual incline. This formation of the groove 8 is peculiarlyadapted to the present service, so that there is a peculiar relationshipbetween the form and position of the groove 8 with respect to thesurface 5.

I wish to call attention to the fact that I do not limit myself to thecontours and sur faces illustrated in the drawing except as called forin the claims, but I include within the scope of my invention anymolding having two of its surfaces lying at substantially right anglesto each other formed as complements to each other, and particularly sucha molding wherein the two surfaces are provided with irregularities intheir contours, so that they will lock together to accomplishsubstantially the results indicated.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a combined molding strip and platerail section of ornamental surface contour formed with an engaging surfae extending adja cent the upper edge of the molding and constituting aportion of the surface ornamentation, said article being further formedwith a complementary engaging surface adjacent its lower edge andlikewise constitut in a portion of the surface ornamentation, thedistance between the first mentioned engaging surface and the upper edgeof the back of the molding being equal to the distance between thecomplementary engaging surface and the lower edge of the outer surfaceof the molding, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a combined molding strip and platerail section of ornamental surface contour formed with an engagingsurface extending adjacent the upper edge and constituting a portion ofthe surface ornamentation and further formed with a complementaryengaging surface adjacent its lower edge likewise constituting a portionof the surface ornamentation, the distance between the first mentionedengaging surface and the upper edge of the back of the molding beingequal to the distance between the complementary engaging surface and thelower edge of the outer surface of the molding, a configured surfaceadjacent the first mentioned engaging-surface and constituting a portionof the surface ornamentation and a configured surface adjacent thecomplementary engaging surface and forming a portion of the sur faceornamentation, said two configured surfaces being arranged to mesh onewith the other, substantially as described.

VILLIAM GOODROVV. lVitnesses THOMAS A. BANNING, J12, FRANCES if. FRos'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

